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Witness / Attend in Bora Bora
Hawaiki Nui Va'a
The iconic Leeward Society island, a ring of motu and turquoise lagoon around the twin peaks of Mount Otemanu. Each austral spring its lagoon receives the finish of the Hawaiki Nui Va'a, the greatest open-ocean outrigger canoe race in Polynesia, after three days of paddling across the Leeward group.
Scheduled and sanctioned by Federation Tahitienne de Va'a.
Dates & details verified against: Official event site ↗
Why here
The Hawaiki Nui Va'a finishes in the Bora Bora lagoon, and there is no better place to witness the biggest event in Polynesian sport. The va'a, the outrigger canoe, is the vessel that carried the first settlers across the Pacific, and this race is its modern proving ground: six-person crews paddle an 80-mile open-ocean course over three days, from Huahine to Raiatea, on to Tahaa and finally across to Bora Bora, battling swell, current and each other with no motor and no rest. The finish under the peak of Otemanu, as painted canoes sprint the last stretch into the lagoon and the crowds line the beach and the boats, is a raw, emotional spectacle that fills the island. Come for the finale and you also get Bora Bora itself, the postcard lagoon, the coral gardens and the drumming and dancing that welcome the paddlers home.
Best months
The race is held over three consecutive days in late October or early November, with the leg into Bora Bora on the final day and, in some years, a closing lagoon race the day after. In 2026 the 33rd edition runs 29 to 31 October, with the Bora Bora finish on 31 October. It is an austral-spring event at the tail of the dry season, so conditions are warm; the open-ocean legs depend on the trade winds and swell of the day. The finish and the surrounding festivities draw large crowds to the lagoon and beaches.
Getting there & around
Bora Bora is reached by a short Air Tahiti flight from Papeete or Raiatea to the lagoon airport on a motu, then a boat transfer to the main island and its beaches. To witness the finish, base on Bora Bora for the final day of the race or follow the earlier legs from Huahine, Raiatea and Tahaa. Accommodation runs from pensions to overwater resorts and books out well ahead for the race and the surrounding October to November high season, so plan and reserve early.
Skill levels: beginner
Schools & guides (1)
Comite Organisateur Hawaiki Nui Va'a
OrganizerThe Comite Organisateur Hawaiki Nui Va'a stages the Hawaiki Nui Va'a each year for the Federation Tahitienne de Va'a, which owns the race. Held over three days in late October or early November, the race sends six-person outrigger crews across open ocean on an 80-mile course from Huahine to Raiatea, on to Tahaa, and finishing in the Bora Bora lagoon. Crews from across Polynesia and overseas contest it, watched from escort boats and the beaches.